With the season racing towards a conclusion, Newburgh hosted leaders Hawick Royal Albert at East Shore Park. For the neutral, it must have been something of a thriller, especially in the second half.

But if you were a follower of either side, it was a nail-biting roller coaster of tears, joy, laughter and despair all inside 90 minutes… Even Spielberg couldn’t have scripted a better epic! Hollywood drama doesn’t come close.

As to be expected there were talking points, controversies and a number of contentious decisions… but there was also a number of excellent goals to whet the appetite.

The controversy started early as Burgh had a goal chalked off inside 5 minutes after Ronnie Martin’s flick was knock on by Blair Campbell for Callum Roughead to poke home from close range. Whilst I totally appreciate the difficulties referees at this level face, especially offside calls, but I also don’t understand how you can call something like that unless 100% certain. ‘Roughy’ certainly didn’t appear offside and replays also back this up. I’m sure across 90 minutes these decisions will even themselves out, right?

“Justice for Roughy” was on hand, however, just 5 minutes later. Martin’s long range free kick was floated into the Hawick area and the big centre back rose highest, with no hint of offside this time, to beat the keeper to the ball and head home.

The lead was short-lived, though, as Fowler muscled his way through on goal and rounded Scott Kyles before slotting home a cool finish in the 12th minute.

Roughy the scorer turned into Roughy the provider in the 27th minute as he intercepted a loose pass on the edge of his own area to run forward a slide a perfect ball for Andrew McCallion. Unfortunately for the Burgh striker, the angle was a little too tight and keeper Newman parried his effort.

The visitors went in front on 31 minutes when McPherson’s cross from the left was rifled home from about 10 yards out by Anderson to make it 2-1.

The action continued to swing from end to end, and from right to left, as Roughead’s throw left to Campbell and Daly playing a ball to Owen McCallion on the left wing who sent a superb cross to the far post to an unmarked Finn Bannerman. Sadly, with the goal at his mercy his header went just over the bar.

Burgh started the second half more lively looking for the equaliser and Andrew McCallion saw his shot deflected behind for a corner. McCallion’s corner was flicked to the far side of the area for Calum Geddes to send over a sweet first-time cross into the six-yard box and Martin powered his header past Newman for 2-2 in the 50th minute.

Hawick were looking dangerous too, though, and Tansey looked to have a touch of class with a powerful left foot. On 61 minutes he cut inside from the right and unleashed an absolute rocket that cannoned down off Kyles’ crossbar and Uwandu couldn’t convert the follow up heading over from close range. Moments later Tracey had another chance for Hawick, but volleyed wide of target.

Newburgh went ahead again in the 61st minute as Geddes’ cross was only half-cleared falling to Daly on the edge of the Hawick area central to goal. The young Burgh man took one touch to set himself before unleashing a powerful drive into the top corner past the keeper for a superb finish.

If the temperature was heating up for a spectacle for the supporters, it took a few notches up in the closing stages. Bannerman felt he was fouled by the touchline but the referee wasn’t convinced (controversy #2). In his frustration he appeared to speak out of turn and the referee immediately halted played and waved the red card.

Controversy number 3 soon followed in the 89th minute as Campbell appeared to have been brought down as he look to break away from defence but, again, nothing was given. But credit to Hawick as defender Hamilton unleashed an absolute thunderous strike from outside of the area into the roof of the net. Whilst you can debate the foul, it was still a great striker from the Hawick player to make it 3-3.

For those who like to leave slightly early and thought it was ending a draw, sadly you would have been mistaken and there was still plenty of action and talking points to come in a, bizarrely, nearly-double-the-amount-of-stoppage-time-than-advised.

It’s been a few minutes since the last controversy so it was surely time for number 4… Also, poetically, it was to allow Hawick’s 4th goal of the game and Fowler appeared to swing his boot into Kyles’ in going for the ball. With the keeper now prostrate injured, the ball ran lose for Tansey to knock home from the edge of the area for 4-3.

Right, that’s it, yes? No… there was still time for more twists. With time ticking out (or so we thought), Martin’s deep free kick into the Hawick penalty area saw Andrew McCallion rise highest to deftly flick header into the far corner with 99 minutes on the clock!

Seven minutes were initially advised, I am told, so with a 99th minute goal, that surely must be it, no? (Controversy number 5, if you’re counting)

Nope! With the clock now showing 101 minutes, Hawick applied the killer blow. Burgh were unable to clear their lines and Maclean’s cross from the right found Ford unmarked to nod home for 5-4.

For the neutral, it was a pulsating and entertaining encounter and fully value for money. For Burgh, it was a sickening blow with some element of injustice. For Hawick, it was a win that mathematically seal their promotion. But with the future of Division 3 uncertain and a probable restructure, it could see quite a few of the division promoted alongside them anyway.

Congratulations to Hawick and well done to two good sides providing a gripping and spectacular game. I’m off for a beer…

Man of the Match: Owen McCallion.